May 26, 2013

As a suspense-horror wimp, last year’s Resident Evil Revelations on 3DS surprised me. Despite returning to the more suspense-filled environment of past games in the series, it wasn’t quite as scary as I expected. Then I booted up the new console re-release on my 83-inch TV with the lights off and my gaming headset on. Apparently, my more relaxed state with the 3DS version wasn’t due to a sudden surge in courage, it was because of the small display.

On the big screen, the tension from being trapped within narrow corridors while desperately searching for ammo and health actually becomes more palpable. The game also holds up well visually for an enhanced portable game port. Although still tanky compared to action shooters, I found the game easier to control with my Xbox gamepad compared to my more cramped original 3DS. The Wii U contoller, on the other hand, takes some getting used to due to the size, though the touchscreen options for items and weapons are a nice addition. You can also play the game on just the Wii U tablet via offscreen mode.

Despite having an AI partner, the main campaign continues to be a single-player affair, which can be good or bad depending on your gameplay preferences. You can play online with other folks, though, in Raid mode. The new features may not be enough for folks who already own the 3DS version. If you’ve never played the game before, however, and prefer a more old-school Resident Evil experience, then this one’s worth a look.

As the guy who always walks alongside the road when I find myself on a sidewalk, say, during a date (yeah, I know, hard to believe), one can assume certain things about my mindset. No, I don’t think I can physically stop a car from hitting my companion, at least not anymore. It does, however, reflect my protective instincts. In a sense, that mindset also extends to my gadgets, which — in the case of my smartphones — often means using a protective cover. One case I tried out recently is the Ballistic Every1, which is available for the iPhone 4 and 5.

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Pros include a sturdy plastic and rubber case. I dropped my phone with the case attached to its clip-on holster on a hard surface from 5 feet and it stayed put. Putting my phone in the case and holster is also quick and easy. Meanwhile, covered and uncovered openings provide access to slots and cameras while rubber nubs let users access the various controls. A screen cover provides added protection.

One issue is that the raised edges can make it hard to tap icons on the corners of the screen. The screen cover also can be hard to swipe with wet fingers. As with many hard cases, the Every1 adds chunk and weight to the phone and makes it unusable with many speaker or charging docks. Its kickstand also feels flimsy. Despite its issues, the Every1 does a good job overall for its main task, which is protecting your precious phone.

In-ear headphones can be like beer bellies. They tend to pop out when you don’t want them to. To address that issue, I’ve seen earphones use all sorts of countermeasures, from hooks and nubs to help them stay put to buds shaped like hearing aids. In the case of id America’s Metropolitan headphones, the company opts for another popular solution as of late — memory foam.

As someone who’s had my fair share of struggles with keeping rubber earbuds from falling out, I had no trouble keeping the Metropolitan’s memory foam buds in place. They’re still not as secure as some of the more sticky buds I’ve tried but are better than regular ones. They’re also light and comfortable, making them ideal for extended music listening sessions. A fabric cord helps prevent tangling when you have to hurriedly shove your earphones in your jacket pockets as you desperately keep up your trousers at the airport security checkpoint. It also comes with a mic and remote, which are nice features for its price range.

Audio profile tends to lean toward the high end — it has a noticeable amount of bass, though not as pronounced as some competitors. The mic and mini remote, meanwhile, work with both iPhone and Android devices but does not allow you to skip your music backward on Android — or at least my Samsung Galaxy S3. Given the price, though, the Metropolitan is a solid option for folks looking for affordable in-ear headphones with a mic.